THE LEASING FOUNDATION

ABOUT THE LEASING FOUNDATION

The mission of The Leasing Foundation is to support the leasing and asset finance industry by providing focus and organisation for charitable activities, by performing rigorous, challenging and relevant research and to provide personal and professional development for the industry.

The core of The Foundation is The Leasing Foundation Fellowship, an invitation-only community of exceptional leasing and asset finance professionals.

You can contact us at hello@leasingfoundation.org

PEOPLE

Fellowship

Fellowship of the Leasing Foundation is recognition of personal commitment to the leasing industry, and an active participation in the advancement of the industry, that goes beyond an individual’s current employer.

Fellowship is by invitation and is offered to individuals at any point in their career who demonstrate both high professional and ethical standards and some or all of the following: an established track record of achievement; a wide knowledge of the industry, or deep knowledge of a specialist area; a demonstrated record of thought leadership; and involvement in activities that nourish and grow the industry. Fellows are individuals who are willing to challenge current thinking and be an active advocate for the industry.

The Foundation has over 170 current Fellows. Check back soon for an up-to-date list of our Fellows.

If you are interested in joining us please email fellowships@leasingfoundation.org

Board of Directors

NEWS

LEADERSHIP

The next generation of leaders want to do things that matter and have a passion for making a difference. They are connected, collegial and focus on collaboration and creating shared value. Leaders of the future face new demands to be more resilient, to be culturally adaptive, to solve new and complex problems, to be inclusive, innovative and imaginative.

The Leasing Foundation Future Leaders is a programme of leadership development that identifies, nurtures and supports a network of exceptional people who are the future leaders of the industry. The programme is centred on authentic, relevant personal development and reflection.

“I bought into the concept of a programme that was designed to stimulate discussion and to expose us to different segments of the industry – rather than a classroom style learning experience.”
Chris Watts, Caterpillar Financial

Participants work together in a facilitated learning set where they can draw on each others’ experiences and insights and explore current and future leadership challenges. The Foundation also provides one-on-one access to senior leaders, executive coaching and industry briefings.

Participants are those who have significant potential to change the face of their organisation and the industry, can commit to working as part of a cohort and who will remain a supportive alumnus when the programme ends.

“The Future Leaders programme has provided a thought-provoking platform to discuss real-world problems with some of the most impressive minds in the industry. This programme allows you build relationships with likeminded people and the diverse nature of the participants guarantees that every person can learn from other people’s experiences.”
Ryan Brodley, Alfa Systems

This unique, world-class leadership programme nurtures and supports our leaders of the future to develop visionary and strategic competencies, to achieve excellence, and to act with clarity, courage, and integrity.

“The course provides invaluable insight into many of the largest leasing businesses in Europe, and the opportunity to network with fellow cohort members and some of the top professionals in the industry is what really sets the course apart. As it is run by the industry, for the industry, I have felt from the outset that the senior figures taking part in the project take an interest in those who are involved and I have made some fantastic connections which I hope to maintain over my career.”
Matt Williams, Close Brothers.

Visit the site for the first of our annual leadership events
The New Leadership

Visit the Future Leaders site
Future Leaders

Study

The MA in Leasing and Asset Finance is designed and delivered in collaboration with Falmouth University. The 2 year, part-time postgraduate course, the first in the world, provides working professionals with opportunities for mobility and career progression in the dynamic asset finance industry.

The MA is a recognised, high-quality qualification that signals professional status. Successful completion demonstrates a commitment to continued professional updating, a focus on personal achievement and knowledge of contemporary and emerging industry developments. Studying for the MA provides entry to the vibrant and growing community of professionals who are part of the Leasing Foundation's global Fellowship, so increasing professional visibility and accelerating career progression.

“The Masters course in Asset Finance & Leasing from Falmouth University has so far exceeded my initial expectations. As well as giving a good grounding on the asset finance industry, and examining theories that I have already applied to my own business, the course has been extremely useful in encouraging me to look further than the inner workings of my own business and appreciate some of the issues that are affecting the wider industry and the economy in general. For this and many other reasons, I would recommend this course to any asset finance brokers that are considering applying”
Luke Hultquist, Halo Commercial Finance

This course is suitable for those already working in the leasing and asset finance industry, in the broader financial services industry, and for those with an interest in, and experience of, commercial finance including equipment leasing, specialist commercial finance, lending, finance broking, or consulting, accounting, IT services or marketing and communications.

Students may have a first degree in business, finance or a related area or a related professional qualification (such as the Professional Certificate in Banking). Those with no academic qualifications can enter the course based on their commercial experience.

“I’ve found the course to be stretching but very valuable. It has provided varied insights into the Leasing and Asset Finance industry as well as developing my leadership style and project management tools which are usable in any industry. The use of online tools to connect the cohort I am in has fostered great discussions and the mentors provided have added further value and perspectives on AF and general finance skills”
Jonathan Crook, Aldermore

For more details of the course, including the application process, the structure of the course and fees, please visit
leasingfoundation.education

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our gender diversity programme, Women in Leasing, has been redeveloped as a broader diversity and inclusion initiative that encompasses sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, mental health, disability and age.

Through research, awareness and training, this programme helps companies in the asset finance industry to understand the business benefits of building inclusive leadership, management, organisations and teams and will help them embed inclusion and diversity into hiring, performance management, succession management, leadership development and learning.

The programme is led by Carol Roberts (Bibby Leasing), Jo Davis (Locke Lord) and Emma Thomas (Siemens Financial Services), working with diversity champions from across the industry.

To participate or learn more, contact Carol Roberts at Bibby Leasing.

RESEARCH

The Leasing Foundation’s research agenda brings together the expertise, insight and resources of the Foundation's Fellows to create challenging, insightful and relevant research and commentary for the leasing and asset finance industry.

LEASING360

Leasing360 is an insights platform that includes evidence-based research, critical insight from industry specialists, and editorial and commentary.

Leasing360 is key resource for understanding the industry, a constantly updated map of what people, trends and product innovations are driving the industry, and a stimulus for debate and discussion about the future.

Leasing360 is structured as a set of vertical and horizontal channels. The horizontal channels deal with the Past, Present and Future of the Industry. Each channel contains themes that provide a key resource for understanding the industry, a map of what trends and product innovations are driving the industry, and a stimulus for discussion about the future of the industry.

All of our content is released under a Creative Commons Licence. This means that anyone can copy and remix the content, as long as they credit the original authors.

Read Leasing360 articles at
leasing360.org

The Asset Finance Observatory is a research programme for the leasing asset finance industry. The Observatory’s long-term aim is to create a network of researchers across the industry who will provide access to research materials and subjects and take part in projects that benefit the industry.

Its keystone project was a qualitative pilot study of SME perceptions of asset finance products, SMEs & Asset Finance.

The aim of the project was to identify and define evolving customer needs, unpack and redefine customer segments by examining factors including ownership structures, lifecycle stage and rate of growth and to analyse product promotions and sales processes to understand key moments of truth for SME customers.

Access the project website at
observatory.leasingfoundation.org

EVENTS

The Foundation organises annual industry events, meetings and workshops. These have included:

THE LEASING FOUNDATION FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 30 SEPTEMBER 2013, ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, LONDON

FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
30 SEPTEMBER 2013, ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, LONDON
The Leasing Foundation First Annual Conference brought 150 industry professionals together to discuss the future of leasing and asset finance. The conference keynote speaker was Lord Mervyn Davies CBE, formerly Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business. Download the conference programme

THE LEASING FOUNDATION SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 2-3 2014, TOURS SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE, PARIS

SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 2-3 2014, TOURS SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE, PARIS
The theme for the Leasing Foundation Second Annual Conference was VIVE LA DIFFÉRENCE. The leasing and asset finance industry is one marked by difference – its solutions, its people and its role in the economy of Europe. 150 delegates from Europe explored a broader landscape for the future of the industry. Download the conference programme

THE LEASING FOUNDATION THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER 10-11 2015, THE CRYSTAL, LONDON

THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2015, THE CRYSTAL, LONDON
The venue for the Leasing Foundation’s Third Annual Conference on 10-11 September 2015 was The Crystal, a sustainable cities initiative by Siemens, at Royal Victoria Docks in London. The theme of the conference was Building a Sustainable Future. Download the conference programme

THE CATALYSTS

THE CATALYSTS MARCH 2014, LONDON
The Foundation drew together a group of insightful and influential industry leaders to create a blueprint for open innovation in leasing and asset finance. Their role was to start a new conversation about innovation. They will draw on deep experience of innovation in their own companies, and of innovation by their partners, suppliers and customers, to identify the open innovation opportunities that are latent in the market and help the industry understand how to exploit them. Listen to a recording of their first meeting on Soundcloud and download papers by Artti Aurasmaa, Nick Gallop and Roger Skinner on innovation in leasing and asset finance.

INNOVATION IN FINANCE LECTURES

INNOVATION IN FINANCE LECTURE MAY 2015, LONDON
The Leasing Foundation Innovation in Finance Lectures explore innovations in finance that recognise the disruptive power of technology and globalisation in catalysing economic change. The first in the series was given by Lord Mervyn Davies, CBE (Mervyn Davies), former Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business, and former Chairman and CEO of Standard Chartered plc.

THE INTERNET OF THINGS

LEASING THE INTERNET OF THINGS MAY 2015, LONDON
Newcastle University and The Leasing Foundation held a half-day vision workshop identify how IoT technologies can be used to help create a more robust, modern and profitable leasing and asset finance industry. Download the presentation

THE NEW LEADERSHIP, 29 NOVEMBER 2016, LOCKE LORD, LONDON

THE NEW LEADERSHIP NOVEMBER 2016, LOCKE LORD, LONDON
100 professionals from the leasing and asset finance industry engaged in a day-long discussion about new approaches to leadership in the leasing and asset finance industry. Themes included creating a leadership pipeline, managing talent, leading for change and transformation, nurturing a leadership community, the challenges for women in leadership and the role of leaders in inspiring change. The New Leadership conference website

THE LEASING INDUSTRY CHARITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH

THE LEASING INDUSTRY CHARITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH DECEMBER, LONDON

For the last five years, the Foundation has hosted the Leasing Industry Charity Christmas Lunch, a sell-out event for 200 people raising funds for causes including Macmillan Cancer support and motor neurone disease research at The Queen Square Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases.

YOUNG LEASING PROFESSIONALS NETWORK

THE YOUNG LEASING PROFESSIONALS NETWORK LONDON

The foundation hosts meeting of the Young Leasing Professionals Network. The network helps high-calibre young professionals broaden their network and build their careers in leasing and asset finance. The network is for those under 40 and membership is free.

THINK/FORWARD, LONDON NOVEMBER 13 2017

THINK/FORWARD NOVEMBER 13 2017, LONDON

This year's Leasing Foundation Annual Conference, THINK/FORWARD, focuses on the changing landscape of asset finance and four connected themes: customer experience; operational excellence; cultures of performance; and digitalization. http://thinkforward.leasingfoundation.org

GIVING

The Foundation brings focus and organisation to charitable activities and helps the industry support new causes, events and charities.

Events including our annual Charity Christmas lunch events, annual conferences, lectures and other projects have raised almost £100,000 for causes including Macmillan Cancer Support, Karuna-Shechen, The Queen Square Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases and De Paul International.

If you would like to recommend a cause, event or activity we should be involved in, please contact us at giving@leasingfoundation.org

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

The Young Leasing Professionals Network helps high-calibre young professionals broaden their network and build their careers in leasing and asset finance.

The network is open to anyone under 40 and who works in the leasing asset finance industry – including captive and independent lessors, brokers, banks and specialist financial providers, along with accounting, technology and other professional services organisations.

The network has held two sell-out networking events in London.

Membership is free.

YLPN is supported by Shoosmiths | Metro Bank | Alfa | CBC Resourcing Solutions

AWARDS

The Leasing Foundation Awards recognise exceptional people and organisations who have nurtured, supported and developed the leasing and asset finance industry.